Informa Festivals marks an exciting new chapter in B2B events, bringing some of the world's most influential creative, technology and business festivals together. We’re combining prestigious events like Cannes Lions, Black Hat, Money20/20, GDC, and London Tech Week with cutting-edge marketing intelligence platforms and advisory services to deliver unmissable experiences and insights. Our festival-led approach reimagines traditional B2B events, creating powerful, immersive experiences that drive innovation and industry advancement. Building on decades of expertise and powered by Informa's international reach, we're shaping the next generation of business festivals. We’re part of Informa, a global business with a network of trusted brands in specialist markets across more than 30 countries, and a member of the FTSE 100 who are #3 in Glassdoor's Best Places to Work 2025 UK list.
Job Description
Reporting to the Director of Financial Control, the Finance Business Partner (FBP) for the Marketing Vertical will play a critical role in providing financial expertise, strategic insights, and operational support to the Marketing Vertical CMO, and other Marketing leaders with central budgets. This role focuses on managing and optimizing overhead costs and sales commission across the vertical, ensuring alignment with business objectives and financial targets.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Planning and Analysis
- Develop and manage the annual budget and quarterly forecasts for marketing overhead costs and sales commission.
- Analyse variances between actuals and budget/forecast, providing actionable insights to stakeholders.
- Prepare detailed financial reports and dashboards to track performance against key metrics.
- Overhead Cost Management
- Monitor and control marketing overhead expenses, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement strategies to optimize overhead spending.
- Collaborate with department heads to ensure alignment of overhead costs with strategic priorities.
- Sales Commission Management
- Oversee the calculation, validation, and payment of sales commissions across the vertical.
- Ensure compliance with commission policies and accuracy in commission payouts.
- Provide insights into commission structures and recommend adjustments to drive sales performance.
- Business Partnering
- Act as a strategic advisor to the marketing leadership team, providing financial guidance and support.
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the vertical to ensure alignment of financial goals with business objectives.
- Present financial insights and recommendations to senior management to support decision-making.
- Strategic Support
- Support the development of business cases for marketing initiatives, ensuring financial viability and alignment with company goals.
- Provide financial modelling and scenario analysis to evaluate the impact of strategic decisions.
- Partner with cross‑functional teams to drive process improvements and enhance financial efficiency.
- Governance and Compliance
- Ensure adherence to financial policies, procedures, and controls across the marketing vertical.
- Support internal and external audits related to overhead costs and sales commission.
- Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date financial records in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
This role is ideal for a finance professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys working closely with business leaders, and is passionate about driving financial performance and strategic decision‑making.
Key Skills And Competencies
- Financial Expertise: Strong knowledge of financial planning, analysis, and reporting.
- Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret complex financial data and provide actionable insights.
- Business Acumen: Understanding of marketing operations and sales commission structures.
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to present financial information effectively.
- Problem‑Solving: Proactive approach to identifying and resolving financial challenges.
- Collaboration: Ability to build strong relationships and work effectively with cross‑functional teams.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field (required).
- Professional certification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or MBA (preferred).
- Proven experience in a finance business partnering role, ideally within a marketing or sales environment.
- Advanced proficiency in financial modelling, Excel, and financial systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar).
- Knowledge of sales commission structures and overhead cost management.
Additional Information
We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some of what you can expect when you join us. But don’t just take our word for it – see what our colleagues have to say LifeAt.Informa.com.
Benefits
- Annual leave: 25 days per year with the option to buy or sell five extra days.
- Pension: Up to 5% matched pension, with our pension plan defaulting to sustainable options., meaning your savings are invested in ways that help rather than hinder our planet.
- Parental leave: Enhanced Primary and Co-parent parental leave once you have been with the company for 1 year+.
- Health, fitness & wellbeing: Options to purchase Private Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Critical Illness & Health Screening. Get fit for less with discounted membership at 3,000+ of the UK’s top gym chains. Save money on fitness and beauty treatments at 2,500+ locations. Enjoy discounts on haircuts, spas, beauty salons, fitness and much more.
- Charitable giving: Make regular donations to your favourite charity and use an extra day of annual leave every year to volunteer to a cause you feel passionate about.
- Restaurant discount card: Receive up to 50% off your meal at 6,500+ top restaurants across the UK.
- Life assurance: Life assurance up to 4x basic salary, subject to eligibility and insurer’s underwriting.
- Employee Assistance Programme: Access to a 24-hour, free and confidential advice line that can provide mental health, financial and wellbeing support.
- Income protection: We provide income protection at 50% of salary, subject to eligibility and insurer’s underwriting.
- Recommend a friend: Know someone who could come make magic happen with us? Introduce your friends or family to Ascential and earn yourself a cash reward.
- Ascential ShareSave Plans: Ascential offers all eligible people an opportunity to participate in the ShareSave Plan. We believe that when we succeed financially, so should you.
- Will writing service: Option to purchase an advanced or standard will as either a single or joint will. Paid via 12 Equal instalments via net dedications.
- Cycle to work: Select a brand new bike worth up to £2,500 and spread the cost over 12 months.
- Season ticket loan: We provide access to an interest free Season Ticket Loan of up to £10,000, tax-free.
At Informa, you'll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed. As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law. Ask us or see our website for full information.
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